Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)

Masterson’s Lounge, nestled in the bustling area of Moonee Ponds , promotes itself as a chic “hipster” locale , but my latest trip at this establishment became a nightmarish ordeal . While the bar may present a friendly façade, what I found behind its doors was disgraceful and unfit for any venue.

Cleanliness Issues : Grimy and Abandoned
From the moment I stepped inside , it was clear that sanitation was not a priority at this venue. The ground was covered in grime , and a foul smell of uncleaned spills and neglected washrooms suffused the entire bar . Smelling a mixture of human waste, a rotting odor and illness . The serving zone , which should be the focal point of any pub, was littered with unwashed glassware and refuse that looked like it had accumulated over weeks. The bathroom was in even more deplorable shape —overflowing , with a broken handle and tiles smeared in what I can only assume was human waste .

It wasn’t just a one-off bad night either. From reading other reviews and talking to people around , it seems that the quality of upkeep (or lack thereof) at Masterson’s is a persistent problem . Many customers have reported seeing bugs darting across the drink station and evidence of rodent infestations in the basement . For a business that serves drinks , these issues are utterly disgraceful and raise serious concerns about the quality of anything they serve .

Unprofessional Behavior: Reports of Misconduct
However, as appalling as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at the bar stand out for all the wrong reasons —was the behavior of its proprietors . The bar is managed by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a professional role as a risk manager at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the business community is clouded by article source a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his business dealings and personal conduct.

During my time there, I noticed how uncomfortable several women seemed around Cornwell. As I investigated further , I was horrified to find numerous complaints against him involving predatory behavior , with multiple check out this information women accusing him of harassing them digitally. Described as excessively forward and violating, his actions has created an unwelcoming setting for women who visit Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often resembled that of a at this website sweating predator than a genial proprietor .

The Staff’s Responsibility : Part of the Problem or Unable to Intervene ?
Pete’s wife, Gillian , is a co-owner and frequently seen managing operations . Instead of stepping in to alleviate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she appears to condone his behavior. This complicity adds a troubling layer to the already unhealthy environment at the bar .